"Just because I am strong enough to handle PAIN, doesn't mean I deserve it."

Kuroko stared, incredulous, where his former captain had left. In all his years of knowing the redhead he had never seen Akashi act so...scared before. The teen looked like he wanted to die right there when he ended the call from his father.

His father...

The bluenette turned towards the only two who seemed like they knew what was going on, "Midorima-kun, Murasakibara-kun, what is going on? Why is Akashi-kun acting like that all of a sudden?"

The two tensed with all gazes set on them, sweating a bit under the pressure. Murasakibara had stopped eating his snacks and had dropped them on the floor from the nervous state he was in.

After a while in silence Midorima sighed, gesturing towards an empty booth, "Let's sit down first. It will be easier that way."

Everyone hesitantly nodded and shimmied their way into the seats. The air was tense as Midorima and Murasakibara sat down in the middle of the booth.

"Well," Midorima cleared his throat. "Akashi...never really got along with his father. As most of you know already, he was the one that put the 'winner gets all' mentality in his life."

Most nodded.

"It didn't start out that bad," Murasakibara spoke up this time, face uncharacteristically serious. "Aka-chin's father just used to discipline Aka-chin, until his..." his throat locked up, letting his bangs cover his eyes.

"Until his mother died," Midorima finished. The light glinted off his glasses lenses, so the others couldn't see his expression that well.

Kise's eyes widened slightly, "Akashicchi's mother died? How come he never told us?"

"He couldn't relive the pain he felt," Murasakibara spoke. "Aka-chin cried for days after his mother died. She helped him through hard times, especially when we couldn't."

"Ano, but how long have you guys known Akashi-kun?" Kuroko spoke up this time, shifting slightly in his seat.

"..since 2nd grade." the megane answered.

"I've known Aka-chin my whole life," Murasakibara answered, tugging on one of his bangs. "I really like Aka-chin."

"How come you never told us?"

"Uhm-"

"Hey guys, not meaning to interrupt or anything," Kise interjected, sweating a bit. "But where are Kagamicchi and Aominecchi?"

The other three looked around, now noticing the absence of the two aces.

"HUH?!"

"Oi, Ahomine," Kagami whisper-grunted. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Shh," the Tōō ace shushed. "Yes, I'm positive. In order to find out what made Akashi act up like that, we need to follow him. Duh!"

"He's gonna kill us if he finds out."

"If he finds out."

"You'd better hope he doesn't also find out about what you just said."

"Shut up Bakagami!"

"Shh!" it was the Seirin ace's turn to shush him. "Look, he's going into that house over there."

"Huh?" the tanned player turned to look at where the other was pointing and – sure enough – the redhead captain was walking into a small house right across the street from their little 'hideout.'

"Is that actually where Akashi lives?" Kagami asked, though more to himself than anything. Or is that his father's house?

"I dunno," Aomine butted in (rather unhelpfully, mind you) and began walking forward. "Come on!"

"W-what?!" Kagami sputtered, hurrying to catch up to the other. "W-we can't go in there! That's be intruding on personal property!"

The other stopped, making Kagami bump into him,"Oi, what's the big idea stopping in the middle of the street Ahomine?!"

"Nothing, just surprised that you knew such big words." the other retorted back after a minute or so.

"OI!"

The two ducked down and once again resumed their 'spying' on the redhead. The two pressed their ears against the wooden door to the house and heard faint talking.

"I'm disappointed, Seijūrō. First your loss at the Winter Cup, now this chivalry? What does it take to get it through your thick skull that you listen to me and me alone? You should know by now that this behavior is unacceptable!"

SLAP

The two aces recoiled back in shock as they heard the loud slapping reverberate throughout the house and a dull thud afterward. It took a while before the two could gather the strength to move again, as Aomine carefully peered into the keyhole.

"H-hey, the door's unlocked." he whispered to his partner in crime. Kagami carefully took the door handle and opened it a crack, making sure to not let it make a sound as it opened. The two peered carefully into the quaint home and could faintly see a shadow being cast on the wall.

"Do you think I raised you to be the worst?! I raised my son to be the best, the perfect being in all of existence!"

BANG

"This is how you repay me; by disobeying my orders?!"

BANG BANG

"HOW WOULD YOUR POOR MOTHER SEE YOU NOW, WEAK AND GROVELING AT THE ENEMY'S FEET?!"

BANG BANG BANG BANG

The loud banging stopped as they could hear faint panting, so they only guessed the psychopath had calmed down slightly.

It wasn't until a few moments later they heard a small, almost unrecognizable voice mutter, "Gomennasai, otou-san...I shall try harder.."

"That's what I'd like to hear," a calmer voice, though undoubtedly the one from before said. "Now go back to those friends of yours, I'm sure they're wondering what has taken you so long; and that is an order, Seijūrō."

"..Hai, otou-san.."

The sound of a door being slammed closed caught their attention, and they could only guess the psychopath had went to his room or something. They saw a small figure – no doubt Akashi – shakily get up and saw red dripping down his face.

Aomine wasted no time in springing up, startling the poor teen who shrunk back instinctively thinking it was another attack. He seemed to relax, only slightly though, when he realized it was just Aomine and Kagami.

Aomine roughly grabbed the smaller redhead by the shoulders, but seeing him flinch he loosened his grip slightly, "How long has he been doing that to you?"

The other pursed his lips in a straight line, avoiding eye contact.

Aomine growled, "Dammit Akashi answer me!" he almost threw the poor teen on the couch, but remembering what just unfolded he stopped himself just in time. "Kagami, text the others and tell them to meet us at your house. Akashi isn't staying in this hell-hole any longer." and promptly picked up Akashi and carried him out of the house.

For once, Kagami agreed with him, and whipped out his phone and began texting Kuroko since undoubtedly he would better control the others.

Meet me at my house in about 10 min. with the others.

He paused before realizing that Midorima probably wouldn't stick around long enough for that and quickly typed out another response.

It's about Akashi.

Must be a miracle; I got a chapter out so early.

(nah, I just finished both of these at school)

R&R